Crosslinked copolymers and ophthalmic devices made from vinylic macromers containing perfluoropolyalkyl ether and polyalkyl ether segments and minor amounts of vinylic comonomers

ABSTRACT

The instant invention relates to crosslinked copolymers of (a) vinylic macromers containing perfluoropolyalkylether and polyalkylether segments with (b) minor amounts of vinylic comonomers and ophthalmic devices such as intraocular implants and contact lenses and particularly soft hydrogel contact lenses made therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates to crosslinked copolymers of (a) vinylic macromers containing perfluoropolyalkylether and polyalkylether segments with (b) minor amounts of vinylic comonomers and ophthalmic devices such as intraocular implants and contact lenses and particularly soft hydrogel contact lenses made therefrom. These devices possess an advantageous blend of desirable properties including (a) high oxygen permeability, (b) excellent wettability, (c) high mechanical strength, (d) flexibility, (e) optical clarity, (f) biocompatibility, and (g) are capable of being sterilized in boiling water. The perfluoropolyalkylether segments provide in large part the high oxygen permeability, the polyalkylether segments provide the wettability and the unique polymer structure provides the desired mechanical properties.

In general, most existing hydrogel soft contact lens materials are based on HEMA, also known as hydroxyethyl methacrylate or as ethylene glycol monomethacrylate, with one or more optional comonomers as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,976,576, 3,841,985 and 3,985,697. Other hydrogels based on N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers and acrylamide copolymers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,639,524 and 3,929,741. These prior art hydrogel polymers generally suffer from several inherent problems (a) relatively weak mechanical strength, (b) low dissolved oxygen permeability or a combination of both. Most lenses are made by either of two procedures, one requiring costly lathing and polishing steps and the other using delicate spin casting techniques where polymerization, crosslinking, and shaping are done simultaneously.

Perfluoropolyalkylether segments have been proposed as constituents of contact lens materials. For example:

In U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,940,207 and 3,944,347 poly(perfluoropropylene oxide) oils were incorporated into a contact lens matrix. However, in this case the material is extremely hydrophobic and the oil can leach out.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,461 a terpolymer is formed from hexafluoroacetone, tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene. The polymers so formed are in general of insufficient wettability and some are not of complete clarity.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,918 and European patent application No. EP0084406, it is disclosed to make ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses from telechelic perfluorinated polyether polymers. These polymers are extremely hydrophobic and require the addition of a hydrophilic comonomer or surface treatment to improve wettability. Although an increase in wettability is described, the increase is generally insufficient to overcome the hydrophobic nature of the perfluoropolyether segments and to provide adequate patient comfort. Also, surface treatments are generally not permanent.

In Japanese patent application Nos. 61-111308, 61-112047, 61-123609, 61-126052, 61-285425 and 61-285426, are described perfluoroalkylether containing polymers useful as raw materials for oxygen permeable devices and medical devices such as contact lenses. These polymers are of poor wettability and require the addition of hydrophilic comonomers or surface treatments to obtain the requisite wettability. Also, some of these materials have a tendency of being yellow in color.

In European patent application No. EP0253515 is described the use of a perfluoropolyether monomer for use in soft contact lenses. These materials are also extremely hydrophobic and need a substantial quantity of hydrophilic comonomer to obtain wettability and in addition require the inclusion of the N-vinylpyrrolidone comonomer to obtain clarity.

Perfluoropolyether monomers useful in condensation polymerizations are disclosed in European patent application No. EP0084406 and Japanese patent application No. 61-166834. In the Japanese application a perfluoropolyether polytriazine material derived from a multivalent nitrile polymer is used in gas permeating materials such as contact lenses. These materials appear yellow in color. The perfluoropolyether monomers of both patent applications are hydrophobic and require the presence of a hydrophilic comonomer. In addition, condensation polymers are generally of poor quality for contact lens use because, for example, of the difficulty in obtaining a sufficiently high molecular weight with the concommitant desirable physical properties.

In European patent application No. EP0273449 is described aqueous dispersions of fluorinated polyurethanes containing ionic groups and their use for textile coatings.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a modified perfluoropolyalkylether macromer which is inherently hydrophilic. This is accomplished by use of a block structure where the perfluoropolyalkylether block provides a substantial portion of the oxygen permeability properties and the polyalkylether block provides the hydrophilicity.

It is a further object to provide a perfluoropolyalkylether/polyalkylether macromer which can be crosslinked in the presence of a minor amount of another vinylic comonomer to form a soft water-swellable hydrogel contact lens having (a) high oxygen permeability (b) good wettability (c) high mechanical strength (d) flexibility (e) optical clarity, (f) biocompatibility and (g) capable of being sterilized in boiling water. It is a further object of the present invention to provide medium to high water content contact lenses obviating, or substantially reducing, the drawbacks of the prior art.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of preparing such contact lenses by crosslinking a vinylic perfluoropolyalkylether/polyalkylether macromer with a minor amount of another vinylic comonomer in a solvent in a mold, such as a spin cast mold or a static cast mold, and equilibrating the resulting solvent swollen crosslinked contact lens in an aqueous medium.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of correcting visual defects in the form of refractive errors by fitting to the patient's eye in need of the same, a corrective contact lens of such polymer.

These and other objects of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention provides a crosslinked polymer which is the addition polymerization product of (a) a macromer containing perfluoropolyalkylether and polyalkylether segments and ethylenically unsaturated moieties, having the formula I, more specifically as seen in formulas Ia to Id,

    E--T--L--Q--X--Z--X--Q--L--T--E,                           (Ia)

    E--T--L--Q--X--Z--X--Q--L,                                 (Ib)

    E--T--L--Q--X--G--X--Q--L--T--E, or                        (Ic)

    E--T--L--Q--X--G--X--Q--L                                  (Id)

wherein

Z is --(C_(a) F_(2a) O)_(b) --CF₂ --, where

a is 1 to 4, b is 2 to 200;

X is a direct bond, --CH₂ --, --CH₂ OCH₂ CHOHCH₂ --, --CH₂ (OCH₂ CH₂)_(y) -- or carbonyl where y is 1 to 10 and where in each case the carbon atom is attached to Z or G;

Q is a direct bond or --ACONH--R--NHCO-- where A is oxa or imino and R is a divalent aliphatic group having from 2 to 14 carbon atoms, a divalent 5- or 6-membered cycloaliphatic group having 5 to 14 carbon atoms or an arylene group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms;

L is --A(C_(m) H_(2m) O)_(n) C_(m) H_(2m) AY-- or L₁ where Y is a direct bond or H and m is 2 to 4 or mixtures thereof and n is 5 to 100, where A is attached to Q;

T is --CONH--R₅ A-- or --CONH--R--NHCOOR₅ A-- or --CONH--R--NHCO--A-- or --R₅ A-- or direct bond where the carbonyl group is attached to L, where R₅ is alkylene or hydroxy-substituted alkylene of 2 to 15 carbon atoms and R is as above;

E is ##STR1## where R₁ is hydrogen or methyl, and

R₂ is hydrogen, methyl or --COOR₃

where

R₃ is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms with the proviso that, when R₁ is methyl, R₂ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen or methyl and G is --(C_(a) F_(2a) O)_(b) --CF₂ [CH₂ --OCONH--R--NHCOOCH₂ CF₂ (OC_(a) F_(2a))_(b) ]_(x) or --(C_(a) F_(2a) O)_(b) --CF₂ [CH₂ --NHCONH--R--NHCONHCH₂ CF₂ (OC_(a) F_(2a))_(b) ]_(x)

where

x is 1 to 3;

L₁ is --A(C_(m) H_(2m) O)_(n) [C_(m) H_(2m) ACONH--R--NHCOA(C_(m) H_(2m) O)_(n).sbsb.1 ]_(z) C_(m) H_(2m) AY

where n₁ is 5 to 100, z is 1 to 10 and Y is a direct bond or H; and (b) a vinylic comonomer selected from

(i) hydrophilic monomers selected from hydroxy-substituted lower alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, acrylamide, methacrylamide, C₁ -C₂ lower alkyl acrylamide and methacrylamide, ethoxylated acrylates and methacrylates, hydroxy substituted lower alkyl acrylamide and methacrylamide, hydroxy substituted lower alkyl vinyl ethers, sodium ethylene sulfonate, sodium styrenesulfonate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, N-vinylpyrrole, N-vinylsuccinimide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, 2- and 4-vinylpyridine, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, amino (by amino including quaternary ammonium), -monoloweralkylamino- or diloweralkylamino- lower alkyl acrylates or methacrylates and allyl alcohol;

(ii) hydrophobic monomers selected from

C₁ to C₁₈ alkyl acrylates and methacrylate, C₃ to C₁₈ alkyl acrylamides and methacrylamides, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, vinyl C₁ to C₁₈ alkanoates, C₂ to C₁₈ alkenes, C₂ to C₁₈ haloalkenes, styrene, C₁ to C₆ alkyl styrenes, vinyl alkyl ethers wherein the alkyl portion has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, C₃ -C₁₂ perfluoroalkyl ethyl thiocarbonylaminoethyl acrylates and methacrylates, C₃ -C₁₂ fluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates, acryloxy and methacryloxy-alkyl-siloxanes, N-vinylcarbazole, C₁ -C₁₂ alkyl esters of maleic, fumaric, itaconic, and mesaconic acids;

(iii) polyreactive crosslinking agents such as allyl methacrylate, diallyl itaconate, monoallyl itaconate, diallyl maleate, diallyl fumarate, diallyl succinate, diallyl phthalate, triallyl cyanurate, triallyl isocyanurate, diethylene glycol bis-allyl carbonate, triallyl phosphate, triallyl trimellitate, allyl ether, N,N-diallylmelamine; vinyl compounds, e.g. divinyl benzene, N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, neopentylglycol dimethacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, hexamethylene-bis-maleimide, divinyl urea, bisphenol A bis methacrylate, divinyl adipate, glycerin trimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trivinyl trimellitate, 1,5-pentadiene, 1,3-bis(4-methacryloxybutyl) tetramethyl disiloxane, divinyl ether, divinyl sulfone; and the dimethacrylate formed by reacting perfluoropolyalkylether dimethanol or poly(ethylene glycol) with two moles of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate; and (iv) mixtures of (i), (ii) and (iii).

Preferably the macromer is of formula Ia.

In the foregoing perfluoropolyether portion, Z, of the macromonomer, a is preferably 1 or 2, and b is preferably 3 to 50.

X is preferably --CH₂ -- or --CH₂ (OCH₂ CH₂)_(y) -- where y is 1 or 2.

A is preferably oxa.

Q is preferably --OCONH--R--NHCO-- where R is a radical derived from diisocyanates including hexane-1,6-diisocyanate, trimethyl-hexane-1,6-diisocyanate, tetramethylene-diisocyanate, phenylene-1,4-diisocyanate, toluene-2,4-diisocyanate, toluene-2,6-diisocyanate, m- and p-tetramethylxylene-diisocyanate, isophorone-diisocyanate and cyclohexane-1,4-diisocyanate, and most preferably isophorone-diisocyanate.

L is preferably a polyalkylether, --O(C_(m) H_(2m) O)_(n) C_(m) H_(2m) O-- where m is 2 or a mixture of 2 and 3, more preferably m=2 and n is 10-50. Where m is a mixture of 2 and 3, the mixture contains a major proportion of m=2.

T is preferably --CONH--R₅ A-- where R₅ is preferably ethylene. Where T is --CONH--R--NHCOOR₅ A--, R is preferably a radical derived from isophorone diisocyanate and R₅ is preferably ethylene.

E is preferably ##STR2## where R₁ is preferably methyl and R₂ is preferably hydrogen. Where E is ##STR3## R₁ and R₂ are preferably hydrogen. Where E is ##STR4##

R₁ is preferably methyl and R₂ is hydrogen.

Where G is present, x is preferably 1, and R is preferably a radical derived from isophorone diisocyanate.

Where L₁ is present, A is preferably oxa, R is preferably a radical derived from isophorone diisocyanate, z is preferably 1 to 5 and preferably n=n₁.

The vinylic macromonomers of formula I can be prepared by methods known, per se.

For example, the perfluoropolyalkylether/polyalkylether containing divinylic macromonomers of formula Ia can be prepared in a three-step sequential synthesis. In the first step, a perfluoropolyalkylether dialkanol of the formula HOCH₂ --C_(a) F_(a) O)_(b) --(CF₂)--CH₂ OH is reacted with two moles of a difunctional reactive diisocyanate of the formula OCN--R--NCO in the presence of a urethane catalyst to form the corresponding reactive group containing endcapped derivative, Z₁ --NCO)₂, where Z₁ is a moiety containing a perfluoropolyalkylether segment. In the second step, the resulting endcapped perfluoropolyalkylether derivative Z₁ --NCO)₂ can then be reacted with two moles of a polyoxyalkylene diol of the formula HO--(C_(m) H_(2m) O)_(n) H preferably in the presence of a conventional aprotic solvent at a temperature between about -10° C. to about 100° C., to form the corresponding polyalkylether-perfluoropolyalkylether-polyalkylether derivative of the formula ##STR5## In the third step, this triblock diol can be then reacted with two moles of reactive group containing vinylic monomer, wherein the reactive group is an isocyanate, say, of the formula ##STR6## wherein R, A, R₁, and R₂ are as above defined and t=0 or 1, at a temperature between about -10° C. to about 100° C. in the presence of a conventional aprotic solvent, in the further presence or absence of a catalytic amount of urethane catalyst.

Materials comprising polymers of the formulas Ib and Id are formed by partial (or incomplete) capping in a reaction step. These materials are useful where post-polymerization modifications are performed such as tinting with reactive dyes.

Suitable aprotic solvents for conducting the reactions include formamide, N,N-diemthylformamide, phosphoric acid tri-dimethylamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, acetamide, acetonitrile, acetone, tert-butyl acetate and preferably isopropyl acetate.

Suitable urethane catalysts include tertiary amines such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, N,N-dimethylbenzylamine, or an organo-metallic urethane catalyst, such as stannous octoate or dibutyltin dilaurate, or sodium acetate.

Alternatively the difunctional reactive agent can be an activated carboxy, such as anhydride, an acid halide, a carboxy ester or oxirane, or is a leaving group, such as halide, sulfato or the like. It is clear that reactants in the various steps of the synthesis be coreactive, e.g. if the perfluoropolyalkylether is terminated with an amine group, the reactive agent can contain an isocyanate, ester, acid halide, halide and the like. These coupling reactions are well known in the art.

The perfluoropolyalkylether starting materials are known and some are commercially available. They are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,810,874, 3,810,875, 3,847,978, 4085,137, 4,094,911, 4,089,319 and and 4,440,918 and European patent application Nos. EP 0084406 and EP 0211237 and Japanese patent applications cited in the Background of the invention. Perfluoropolyalkylether dimethanols can be prepared by photooxidation of tetrafluoroethylene followed by cleavage and reduction reactions. Some of these are available from Ausimont, USA and are known as Fomblin ZDOL derivatives such as Fomblin ZDOL 2000, Fomblin ZDEAL 2000 and Fomblin Z-DISOC with the respectives formulas being Z--CH₂ OH)₂, Z--COOCH₃)₂, Z--CONH--C₆ H₃ (CH₃)NCO)]₂ where Z=CF₂ O(C₂ F₄ O)_(r) --(CF₂ O)_(s) --CF₂ (r/s˜0.7). One can also chain extend these materials, for example the diols with diisocyanates, before use.

Difunctional (or multifunctional) reactive materials such as diisocyanate, diester, diepoxides and so on are known and many are commercially available.

The polyalkylether starting materials are also well known and many are commercially available (e.g. from Aldrich, Olin and, Polysciences). Hydroxy terminated polyethylene glycols, average molecular weights 200-10,000 are available from Aldrich Chemical Company, Inc. U.S.A. Amine-terminated polyethylene glycols are known and some are commercially available, for example, Jeffamine D-400 (Jefferson Chemical and Texaco).

It is also possible to use polyalkylether copolymers such as ethylene/propylene oxide polymeric diols where the more hydrophilic ethylene oxide is in major proportion. Many polymeric copolymeric diols are known and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,488. These copolymers include poloxamers which are sold under the trade name Pluronic (BASF Wyandotte). One can also chain-extend the diols with, for example, diisocyanates before use.

In the third step of the reaction, the reactive vinylic group is introduced. Isocyanate terminated vinylic monomers are known and some are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,123. Some are commercially available such as isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (Dow Corning, U.S.A.) and m-isopropenyl-2,2-dimethylbenzyl-isocyanate (m-TMI, Cyanamid). Epoxy terminated vinylic monomers, e.g. glycidyl methacrylate, are known and are commercially available.

It is useful to add minor amounts i.e. up to about 10% of vinylic comonomer to the composition, for example, to enhance tintability of the materials. These vinylic comonomers contain reactive groups such as hydroxyl, amine, oxirane and so forth. It is also useful to fine tune a particular physical property such as modulus, elongation, tensile strength, hydrophilicity or oxygen permeability by adding minor amounts of additional comonomers.

The vinylic comonomer may be hydrophilic, hydrophobic or may be a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic vinylic monomers. Suitable vinylic monomers include those conventional vinylic monomers generally employed in the fabrication of soft and hard contact lenses. By a hydrophilic vinylic monomer is meant a monomer which, when polymerized by conventional free radical polymerization, characteristically yields a polymer which either dissolves in water or is capable of absorbing at least 10% by weight water under ambient equilibrium conditions. Similarly, suitable hydrophobic vinylic monomers are those monomers which, when polymerized by conventional free radical polymerization, characteristically yield a polymer which neither dissolves in water, nor is capable of absorbing at least 10% by weight water under ambient (i.e. 20° C.) equilibrium conditions.

The vinylic comonomers are reacted with derivatives of formula I advantageously in the presence of an inert diluent or solvent, such as a suitable organic solvent, including a lower alkanol, e.g. ethanol, methanol or the like, or an aprotic solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide, acetamide, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone, tert-butyl acetate, isopropyl acetate or mixture thereof. Also, aqueous/organic solvent systems may be employed.

The derivative of formula I in the presence of vinyl comonomer(s) are polymerized in the presence of actinic radiation or in the presence of a conventional free radical initiator, such as a peroxide, e.g. di-tert-butyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, lauryl peroxide, decanoyl peroxide, acetyl peroxide, succinic acid peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide, isopropyl peroctoate, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, tert-butyl perpivalate, tert-butyl peroctoate, diisopropyl peroxydicarbonate, cumene hydroperoxide, tert-butyl perbenzoate, tert-butyl peroxymaleic acid, tert-butyl peroxyacetate, and potassium persulfate, an azo compound, e.g. 2,2-azo-bis-isobutyronitrile, 2,2'-azo-bis-(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), 1,1'-azo-bis-(cyclohexane carbonitrile), 2,2'-azo-bis-(2,4-dimethyl-4-methoxyvaleronitrile) and phenyl-azo-isobutyronitrile, a photoinitiator, e.g. benzoin methyl ether and 1-hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone or actinic radiation such as UV light or ionizing rays e.g. gamma rays or x-rays.

The derivative of formula I in the presence of vinyl comonomer(s) is advantageously polymerized upon placement into a mold. The mold may be a conventional spin-casting mold for preparing contact lenses such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,429, or in a static mold, e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,198. Alternately, one may prepare a swollen lens blank, dry the lens blank to form the corresponding xerogel, shape the xerogel into a contact lens precurser by lathing methods known to the art, and swell the shaped xerogel in aqueous medium to form the corresponding contact lens, as described in Reissue U.S. Pat. No. 27,401.

The solution of derivative of formula I in the presence of vinylic comonomer(s) is advantageously placed into a mold in shape of a contact lens and polymerized. After polymerization, the crosslinked polymer is equilibrated in aqueous or aqueous saline solution. Optimally this post treatment further includes a heat treatment of the molded lens shaped polymer. Such heat treatment is characteristically conducted at a temperature between about 60° to 100° C., e.g. in the presence of an aqueous medium. The treatment can vary greatly, but usually is accomplished in about 5 to 90 minutes. The purpose of this post treatment is to dimensionally stabilize the crosslinked contact lens material. Also, the treatment may further serve to sterilize such lens material.

Suitable vinylic comonomers for polymerization with the derivative of formula I include conventional hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers. Suitable hydrophobic monomers include, without limitation, C₁ to C₁₈ alkyl acrylates and methacrylate, C₃ to C₁₈ alkyl acrylamides and methacrylamides, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, vinyl C₁ to C₁₈ alkanoates, C₂ to C₁₈ alkenes, C₂ to C₁₈ haloalkenes, styrene, C₁ to C₆ alkyl styrenes, vinyl alkyl ethers wherein the alkyl portion has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, C₃ -C₁₂ perfluoroalkyl ethyl thiocarbonylaminoethyl acrylates and methacrylates, C₃ -C₁₂ fluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates, acryloxy and methacryloxy-alkyl-siloxanes, N-vinylcarbazole, C₁ -C₁₂ alkyl esters of maleic, fumaric, itaconic, and mesaconic acids and the like. Examples of suitable hydrophobic monomers include methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, propyl methacrylate, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, vinyl valerate, styrene, chloroprene, vinyl chloride, vinylidine chloride, acrylonitrile, 1-butene, butadiene, methacrylonitrile, vinyl toluene, vinyl ethyl ether, perfluorohexylethylthiocarbonylaminoethyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, hexafluorobutyl methacrylate, 3-methacryloxypropylpentamethyldisiloxane, and bis(methacryloxypropyl) tetramethyldisiloxane.

Suitable hydrophilic monomers include, without limitation, hydroxy substituted lower alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, acrylamide, methacrylamide, C₁ -C₂ lower alkyl acrylamide and methacrylamide, ethoxylated acrylates and methacrylates, hydroxy substituted lower alkyl acrylamide and methacrylamide, hydroxy substituted lower alkyl vinyl ethers, sodium ethylene sulfonate, sodium styrenesulfonate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, N-vinylpyrrole, N-vinylsuccinimide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, 2- and 4-vinylpyridine, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, amino (by amino including quaternary ammonium), -monoloweralkylamino- or diloweralkylamino- lower alkyl acrylates or methacrylates, allyl alcohol, and the like.

Specific hydrophilic monomers include hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, allyl alcohol, vinylpyridine, N-vinylpyrrolidone, glycerol methacrylate, N-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxobutyl) acrylamide, and the like.

Preferred hydrophobic comonomers are methyl methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate.

Preferred hydrophilic monomers are 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, and dimethylacrylamide.

Optionally, an additional conventional polyreactive crosslinking agent may be added, such as, allyl compounds e.g. allyl methacrylate, diallyl itaconate, monoallyl itaconate, dially maleate, diallyl fumarate, diallyl succinate, diallyl phthalate, triallyl cyanurate, triallyl isocyanurate, diethylene glycol bis-ally carbonate, triallyl phosphate, triallyl trimellitate, allyl ether, N,N-diallylmelamine; vinyl compounds, e.g. divinyl benzene, N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, neopentylglycol dimethacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, hexamethylene-bis-maleimide, divinyl urea, bisphenol A bis methacrylate, divinyl adipate, glycerin trimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trivinyl trimellitate, 1,5-pentadiene, 1,3-bis(4-methacryloxybutyl) tetramethyl disiloxane, divinyl ether and divinyl sulfone; hydroxyl reactive compounds such as: polyvalent isocyanates e.g. hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate; polyaldehydes e.g. glutaraldehyde and glyoxal; polyacids e.g. glutaric acid and oxalic acid; polyepoxides e.g. butane diepoxide, vinylcyclohexene dioxide and butanediol diglycidyl ether; polyols (acid catalysis) e.g. dimethylol urea and diethylene glycol. Also the dimethacrylate formed by reacting perfluoropolyalkylether dimethanol or poly(ethylene glycol) with two moles of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate can be used.

When employed, about 0.01 to 10 weight percent of crosslinking agent, based upon the weight of formula I derivative, may be present, preferably about 0.01 to about 5 percent, most preferably about less than 2 weight percent.

The resultant contact lenses are optically clear, strong, flexible, highly oxygen permeable and wettable. Further, the instant lenses are characterized by their ease of manufacture.

In the following examples, all parts are by weight unless otherwise described.

A description of testing methods used on the polymer films is as follows: (a) Oxygen permeability (DK) is determined from measurements on a Schema Versatae or Createch polarographic cell. (b) Wettability or lubricity is evaluated by a feel comparison to crosslinked polyHEMA (i.e. polymerized 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate +1% ethylene glycol dimethacrylate). The surface lubricity of polyHEMA is designated (B); more wettable than polyHEMA is designated (A) and a less wettable surface than polyHEMA is designated (C). (c) Tensile strength is qualitatively evaluated by pulling on a sheet of the material by hand and then comparing the result to a material previously evaluated by a micromechanical tester to be 14 kg/cm². A measurement found to be similar to this "standard" is designated (2); a higher value is designated (1); a lower value is designated (3); while a much lower value is designated (4).

EXAMPLE 1

This example illustrates the sequential synthesis of the perfluoropolyether/polyether urethane-linked adduct, Z₁ --IPDI--PEG--IEM)₂, where Z₁ is a perfluoropolyether, IPDI is isophorone diisocyanate, PEG is a polyethylene glycol and IEM is isocyanatoethyl methacrylate; and, the solution polymerization of this adduct.

Synthesis of Z₁ --IPDI--PEG)₂ Diadduct

30.06 g (0.0136 mole) Fomblin ZDOL 2000 (MW 2200; Montedison, Ausimont) is combined with 6.07 g (0.02734 mole) IPDI and 10 μL dibutyltin dilaurate, mixed well and stirred overnight at room temperature forming Z₁ --IPDI)₂. The percentage of isocyanate reacted (generally 48-54%) is determined by dibutylamine titration and varies with the precise value of the Z₁ molecular weight actually used. Then, the calculated molar amount of PEG is added to a solution (solvent, 30-70%) of Z₁ --IPDI)₂ to form Z₁ --IPDI--PEG)₂. Then a urethane catalyst, i.e. dibutyltin dilaurate (0.66 mL per gram of solute) is added and the solution allowed to react at 50° C. with stirring overnight (complete disappearance of isocyanate IR absorption at 2270 cm⁻¹).

Synthesis of Z₁ --IPDI--PEG--IEM)₂ Diadduct

The calculated molar amount of IEM is added, with rapid stirring, to a solution of Z₁ --IPDI--PEG)₂ and reacted at 40°-50° C. (see Example 2 samples 1-3) or at room temperature (see Example 2 sample 5 and 6).

Polymerization of Diadduct: Hydrogel Formation

The Z₁ --IPDI--PEG--IEM)₂ adduct in solvent is mixed with initiator (benzoin methyl ether, BME), poured into flat "sandwich" molds and polymerized with UV light (Sylvania, Blacklight Blue, 15 W) at room temperature for 3 hours. The polymerized films are removed from the molds, extracted in water several times, heated in boiling water for 10 minutes and then allowed to equilibrate in room temperature water (generally overnight).

EXAMPLE 2

This example shows the resultant water content and oxygen permeability values of perfluoropolyalkylether/PEG hydrogels, i.e. crosslinked Z₁ --IPDI--PEG--IEM)₂, solution polymerized using different molecular weights of PEG (400, 600) in various amounts of solvent (acetone).

    __________________________________________________________________________     Wt. % In the Polymerization Mixture                                                                      Wt. %                                                                              % H.sub.2 O                                                                         DK                                          Sample                                                                             Z.sub.1                                                                           IPDI                                                                               PEG                                                                               (MW)                                                                               IEM                                                                               Acetone                                                                             BME Content                                                                             (barrer)                                    __________________________________________________________________________     1   39.2                                                                              7.9 14.3                                                                              (400)                                                                              5.5                                                                               33.0 0.1 14.5 67.0                                        2   20.3                                                                              4.1  7.4                                                                              (400)                                                                              2.9                                                                               65.3 0.2 28.9 68.4                                        3   34.7                                                                              7.1 19.0                                                                              (600)                                                                              4.9                                                                               34.3  0.04                                                                              29.2 46.2                                        4   31.6                                                                              6.4 17.4                                                                              ↓                                                                           4.5                                                                               40.1 0.3 37.3 51.6                                        5   26.0                                                                              5.3 14.3                                                                              ↓                                                                           3.7                                                                               50.8 0.3 36.9 53.0                                        6   16.1                                                                              3.3  8.9                                                                              ↓                                                                           2.3                                                                               69.5 0.4 49.2 51.5                                        __________________________________________________________________________

As shown above, water content increases with higher molecular weight PEG and reaction solvent content. The oxygen permeability, however, decreases with the higher molecular weight PEG.

EXAMPLE 3

This example illustrates a range of Z₁ /PEG hydrogel water contents obtained by varying the molecular weight of the PEG and the proportion of solvent IPAC (isopropyl acetate). Films are made as in Example 1 except that the molecular weight of the PEG is 600, 900, 1000 or 1500 and the solvent used is isopropyl acetate. IEM is reacted at 40°-50° C. for all samples.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Wt. % In the Polymerization Mixture                                                                       Wt. %                                                                              % H.sub.2 O                                     Sample                                                                             Z.sub.1                                                                           IPDI                                                                               PEG                                                                               (MW) IEM                                                                               IPAC BME Content                                         __________________________________________________________________________     1   35.3                                                                              7.2 19.3                                                                               (600)                                                                              5.0                                                                               33.2 0.06                                                                               21.9                                            2   27.1                                                                              5.5 14.8                                                                              ↓                                                                            3.8                                                                               48.8 0.06                                                                               31.2                                            3   20.8                                                                              4.2 11.3                                                                              ↓                                                                            2.9                                                                               60.8 0.04                                                                               45.8                                            4   29.4                                                                              5.9 24.0                                                                               (900)                                                                              4.1                                                                               36.6 0.05                                                                               39.5                                            5   25.2                                                                              5.1 20.6                                                                              ↓                                                                            3.6                                                                               45.7 0.04                                                                               40.7                                            6   20.9                                                                              4.2 17.1                                                                              ↓                                                                            3.0                                                                               54.8 0.05                                                                               42.8                                            7   27.3                                                                              5.5 24.9                                                                              (1000)                                                                              3.9                                                                               38.4 0.05                                                                               42.9                                            8   23.8                                                                              4.8 21.7                                                                              ↓                                                                            3.4                                                                               46.3 0.05                                                                               45.1                                            9   22.0                                                                              4.4 20.0                                                                              ↓                                                                            3.3                                                                               47.7 0.05                                                                               45.0                                            10  20.2                                                                              4.1 18.3                                                                              ↓                                                                            2.8                                                                               54.6 0.03                                                                               48.1                                            11  15.9                                                                              3.2 14.5                                                                              ↓                                                                            2.2                                                                               64.2 0.05                                                                               54.2                                            12  13.9                                                                              2.8 12.6                                                                              ↓                                                                            2.0                                                                               68.7 0.04                                                                               52.9                                            13  18.9                                                                              3.9 25.9                                                                              (1500)                                                                              2.7                                                                               48.6 0.05                                                                               57.9                                            14  16.5                                                                              3.4 22.6                                                                              ↓                                                                            2.3                                                                               55.2 0.06                                                                               61.1                                            15  14.7                                                                              3.1 20.1                                                                              ↓                                                                            2.1                                                                               60.1 0.07                                                                               61.5                                            __________________________________________________________________________

As shown above water content increases with increasing molecular weight PEG and solvent content.

EXAMPLE 4

This example shows the effect of hydrophilic comonomer addition on the physical properties of Z₁ /PEG hydrogel films. Films are made as in Example 3 except that comonomer N,N-dimethylacrylamide, DMA; N-vinylpyrrolidone, NVP; or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, HEMA) is added just prior to the addition of initiator.

    __________________________________________________________________________                                         Physical Properties of Hydrogel            Wt. % In the Polymerization Mixture                                                                            %   % H.sub.2 O                                Sample                                                                             Z.sub.1                                                                           IPDI                                                                               PEG                                                                               (MW)                                                                               IEM                                                                               Comonomer                                                                             IPAC                                                                               BME Content                                                                             Clarity                                                                             Wettability                                                                          Strength                   __________________________________________________________________________      1  24.4                                                                              4.9 19.9                                                                               (900)                                                                             3.4                                                                               17.1 DMA                                                                              30.3                                                                               0.05                                                                               54.4 Clear                                                                               A     3                           2  24.5                                                                              4.9 20.0                                                                              ↓                                                                           3.5                                                                               16.7 NVP                                                                              30.4                                                                               0.05                                                                               48.8 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                             3                           3  24.5                                                                              4.9 20.0                                                                              ↓                                                                           3.5                                                                               16.6 HEMA                                                                             30.5                                                                               0.05                                                                               37.1 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                             2                           4  29.4                                                                              5.9 24.0                                                                              ↓                                                                           4.1                                                                               --     36.6                                                                               0.05                                                                               39.5 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                             2                           5  24.8                                                                              5.0 22.6                                                                              (1000)                                                                             3.5                                                                                9.1 DMA                                                                              35.0                                                                               0.05                                                                               52.6 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                             3                           6  22.8                                                                              4.6 20.7                                                                              ↓                                                                           3.2                                                                               16.6   32.1                                                                               0.05                                                                               57.1 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                             ↓                    7  21.0                                                                              4.3 19.1                                                                              ↓                                                                           3.0                                                                                9.5   43.1                                                                               0.06                                                                               54.4 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                             ↓                    8  19.2                                                                              3.9 17.5                                                                              ↓                                                                           2.7                                                                               17.4   39.4                                                                               0.05                                                                               60.1 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                              3-4                        9  24.8                                                                              5.0 22.6                                                                              ↓                                                                           3.5                                                                                9.2 NVP                                                                              34.9                                                                               0.05                                                                               48.6 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                             3                          10  22.7                                                                              4.6 20.7                                                                              ↓                                                                           3.2                                                                               16.8   32.0                                                                               0.05                                                                               54.7 Hazy ↓                                                                             4                          11  21.1                                                                              4.3 19.2                                                                              ↓                                                                           3.0                                                                                9.0   43.4                                                                               0.04                                                                               49.7 Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                             3                          12  19.2                                                                              3.9 17.4                                                                              ↓                                                                           2.7                                                                               17.5   39.3                                                                               0.05                                                                               52.3 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                             4                          13  24.8                                                                              5.0 22.6                                                                              ↓                                                                           3.5                                                                                9.1 HEMA                                                                             35.0                                                                               0.05                                                                               42.7 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                             3                          14  22.8                                                                              4.6 20.7                                                                              ↓                                                                           3.2                                                                               16.6   32.1                                                                               0.05                                                                               40.0 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                             ↓                   15  21.0                                                                              4.2 19.0                                                                              ↓                                                                           3.0                                                                                9.8   43.0                                                                               0.05                                                                               44.9 Sl. Hazy                                                                            ↓                                                                             ↓                   16  19.2                                                                              3.9 17.5                                                                              ↓                                                                           2.7                                                                               17.4   39.4                                                                               0.05                                                                               44.8 Sl. Hazy                                                                            ↓                                                                             ↓                   17  27.3                                                                              5.5 24.9                                                                              ↓                                                                           3.9                                                                               --     38.4                                                                               0.05                                                                               42.9 Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                             ↓                   18  15.7                                                                              3.3 21.5                                                                              (1500)                                                                             2.2                                                                               16.8 DMA                                                                              40.5                                                                               0.05                                                                               69.6 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                             2                          19  15.7                                                                              3.3 21.5                                                                              ↓                                                                           2.2                                                                               16.8 NVP                                                                              40.5                                                                               0.05                                                                               63.2 ↓                                                                            ↓                                                                              3-4                       20  15.4                                                                              3.2 21.5                                                                              ↓                                                                           2.2                                                                               18.9 HEMA                                                                             39.8                                                                               0.06                                                                               55.8 Hazy ↓                                                                             2                          21  18.9                                                                              3.9 25.9                                                                              ↓                                                                           2.7                                                                               --     48.6                                                                               0.05                                                                               57.9 Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                             3                          __________________________________________________________________________      DMA = dimethylacrylamide; NVP = Nvinylpyrrolidone; HEMA = 2hydroxyethyl        methacrylate                                                             

As shown above, addition of hydrophilic comonomers has little effect on wettability or tensile strength.

EXAMPLE 5

This example compares the effect of initiator level on the physical properties of similar composition Z₁ /PEG hydrogel films. The films are prepared in a similar manner to that in Example 1.

In general, 3.00 g (0.0016 mole) Fomblin ZDOL 2000, MW 1851 (previously bubbled with nitrogen for 2 hours while stored over molecular sieves) is combined with 0.72 g (0.0032 mole) IPDI and 2.5 μL dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL) catalyst under nitrogen, mixed well and stirred overnight at room temperature. The percentage of isocyanate reacted is determined by titration to be 48-53%. PEG 1000 is reacted with Z₁ --IPDI)₂ in the presence of solvent (approximately 38% by weight isopropyl acetate, IPAC). Then 0.66 μL DBTL is added per gram solute and the solution reacted at 50° C. with stirring overnight under nitrogen. The solution is cooled to room temperature and initiator (BME) added. The solution is centrifuged five minutes (Eppendorf 5412) poured into "sandwich" molds and UV irradiated at room temperature for three hours. After water extraction, strength and wettability testing is performed.

    __________________________________________________________________________                                Physical Properties of Hydrogel                     Wt. % In the Polymerization Mixture                                                                       % H.sub.2 O                                         Sample                                                                             Z.sub.1                                                                           IPDI                                                                               PEG IEM                                                                               IPAC                                                                               % BME                                                                               Content                                                                             Clarity                                                                            Wettability                                                                          Strength                             __________________________________________________________________________     1   24.8                                                                              5.9 26.8                                                                               4.2                                                                               38.4                                                                                0.05                                                                               36.7 Clear                                                                              B     2                                    2   24.6                                                                              5.9 26.7                                                                               4.2                                                                               38.7                                                                                0.05                                                                               47.9 ↓                                                                           A     4                                    3   25.9                                                                              5.8 25.9                                                                               4.0                                                                               38.4                                                                               0.1  46.3 ↓                                                                           B     2                                    4   24.8                                                                              6.0 26.8                                                                               4.1                                                                               38.3                                                                               0.1  47.5 ↓                                                                           A     3                                    5   24.7                                                                              6.0 26.8                                                                               4.2                                                                               38.4                                                                               0.1  50.4 ↓                                                                           A     3                                    6   25.9                                                                              5.8 25.9                                                                               4.0                                                                               38.4                                                                               0.2  48.4 ↓                                                                           B     2                                    7   24.8                                                                              6.0 26.8                                                                               4.1                                                                               38.3                                                                               0.2  51.3 ↓                                                                           A     3                                    8   25.9                                                                              5.8 25.9                                                                               4.0                                                                               38.4                                                                               0.5  48.8 ↓                                                                           A     2                                    __________________________________________________________________________

As shown above, increasing initiator level from 0.05 to 0.1% and higher appears to improve property reproducibility especially water content and strength; but no added strength is found by further increasing initiator level to 0.5%.

EXAMPLE 6

This example illustrates the effect of various crosslinking agents on the physical properties of perfluoropolyether/PEG hydrogel films. The crosslinkers used are: a dimethacrylate of PEG 600, a dimethacrylate of ZDOL 1000 and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

The dimethacrylate of PEG 600 is synthesized by combining 2.425 g (0.004 mole) PEG 600 with 1.2578 g (0.008 mole) IEM, mixing well and adding 2 μL DBTL and stirring overnight at room temperature. Reaction completion is indicated by disappearance of isocyanate IR absorption at 2270 cm⁻¹.

The dimethacrylate of ZDOL 1000, Z₁ --IEM)₂, is synthesized by combining 1.1115 g (0.00085 mole) Fomblin ZDOL 1000 (MW 1301) with 0.2652 g (0.0017 mole) IEM, mixing well and then adding 2 μL DBTL and stirring for three hours at room temperature. Disappearance of the isocyanate IR absorption is used to monitor reaction completion. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) is distilled from a commercial source (Sartomer) before use.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Wt. % In the Polymerization Mixture                                                                              Physical Properties of Hydrogel                         PEG                         % H.sub.2 O                                                                             Wetta-                         Sample                                                                             Z.sub.1                                                                           IPDI                                                                               1000                                                                              IEM                                                                               IPAC                                                                               Comonomer    % BME                                                                               Content                                                                             Clarity                                                                            bility                                                                             Strength                   __________________________________________________________________________     1   22.4                                                                              5.4 24.3                                                                              3.8                                                                               34.8                                                                               9.3                                                                               PEG 600--(IEM).sub.2                                                                     0.1  49.8 Clear                                                                              A   3                          2   19.9                                                                              4.8 22.4                                                                              3.5                                                                               36.2                                                                               13.1                                                                                ↓                                                                               0.1  48.3 ↓                                                                           A   4                          3   20.7                                                                              4.9 22.3                                                                              3.5                                                                               35.4                                                                               13.2                                                                                ↓                                                                                0.09                                                                               48.6 ↓                                                                           A   4                          4   24.4                                                                              5.9 26.4                                                                              4.1                                                                               38.1                                                                               1.1                                                                               EGDMA     0.1  45.3 ↓                                                                           B   3                          5   24.5                                                                              5.9 26.4                                                                              4.1                                                                               38.1                                                                               1.0                                                                               ZDOL 1000(IEM).sub.2                                                                     0.1  53.6 ↓                                                                           A   2-3                        6   24.7                                                                              5.9 26.7                                                                              4.2                                                                               38.5     ↓                                                                               0.1  46.7 ↓                                                                           A   3                          __________________________________________________________________________      PEG 600--(IEM).sub.2 = PEG 600 dimethacrylate; EGDMA = ethylene glycol         dimethacrylate;                                                                ZDOL 1000--(IEM).sub.2 = ZDOL 1000 dimethacrylate                        

EXAMPLE 7

This example shows the physical properties of perfluoropolyether/PEG hydrogel films made by combining the diadducts of Z₁ --IPDI--PEG--IEM)₂ which have different PEGs, but the same Z₁ (i.e. ZDOL 2000). The PEGs used are 400, 600 and 1000. The reaction solutions are prepared in isopropyl acetate as in Example 5 except that nitrogen degassing is not used. The solutions are mixed in various ratios just prior to initiator (BME) addition.

    __________________________________________________________________________                                                 Physical Properties of                                                         Hydrogel                               Mole Ratio  Wt. % In the Polymerization Mixtures                                                                       % H.sub.2 O                                                                             Wetta-                    Sample                                                                             Z.sub.1 -- (IPDI-PEG-IEM).sub.2                                                            Z.sub.1                                                                           IPDI                                                                               PEG (MW)                                                                              IEM IPAC                                                                               % BME Content                                                                             Clarity                                                                            bility                                                                             Strength              __________________________________________________________________________     1   1 PEG 1000/1 PEG 600                                                                       27.1                                                                              6.5 14.8 (1000)                                                                           4.6 38.3                                                                               0.05  39.0 Clear                                                                              A   3                                             8.7 (600)                ↓                                                                           ↓                                                                           ↓              2   3 PEG 1000/1 PEG 600                                                                       25.9                                                                              6.2 21.1 (1000)                                                                           4.3 38.4                                                                               0.06  42.4 ↓                                                                           ↓                                                                           ↓                                      4.1 (600)                ↓                                                                           ↓                                                                           ↓              3   1 PEG 1000/1 PEG 400                                                                       28.6                                                                              6.5 15.6 (1000)                                                                           4.8 38.3                                                                               0.05  35.0 ↓                                                                           ↓                                                                           ↓                                      6.1 (400)                ↓                                                                           ↓                                                                           ↓              4   3 PEG 1000/1 PEG 400                                                                       26.5                                                                              6.4 21.2 (1000)                                                                           4.5 38.3                                                                               0.05  40.9 ↓                                                                           ↓                                                                           ↓                                      2.9 (400)                ↓                                                                           ↓                                                                           ↓              5   PEG 1000    24.7                                                                              5.9 26.7 (1000)                                                                           4.2 38.5                                                                               0.1   46.7 ↓                                                                           ↓                                                                           ↓              __________________________________________________________________________

The results show that though the water content of a Z₁ --IPDI--PEG 1000-IEM)₂ film is lowered slightly by the copolymerization with Z₁ --IPDI--PEG 400-IEM)₂ or Z₁ --IPDI--PEG 600-IEM)₂, the clarity, wettability and strength appear the same.

EXAMPLE 8

This example shows the effect of a lower molecular weight (i.e. approximately 1000 as opposed to approximately 2000) perfluoropolyether on the properties of a Z₁ /PEG hydrogel. The synthesis of these Z₁ --IPDI--PEG--IEM)₂ diadducts is similar to that described in Example 3. More specifically, 5.0082 g (0.0038 mole) Fomblin ZDOL 1000 (MW 1301) is reacted with 1.7121 g (0.0077 mole) IPDI in solvent (20% isopropyl acetate) while stirring at room temperature overnight in the presence of 2 μL DBTL; some samples (i.e. sample numbers 3, 5 and 6) are reacted without solvent. The Z₁ --IPDI)₂ diadduct is then reacted with 2 moles of PEG (i.e. 200, 400, 600, 900 or 1000). The PEG is first dissolved in a certain quantity of isopropyl acetate (the weight of solvent calculated to be 40% of the final reaction mixture) at 50° C. (PEG 600, 900, 1000) or at room temperature (PEG 200, 400).

In Sample 1 for example, 0.2211 g (0.0011 mole) PEG 200 is dissolved in 0.5692 g IPAC then 1.2098 g of the Z₁ --IPDI)₂ adduct is added, the mixture mixed well followed by the addition of 0.78 μL DBTL and stirring overnight at 50° C. The solution is then cooled to room temperature, 0.1714 g (0.0011 mole) IEM added and the mixture reacted with stirring at room temperature overnight. Addition of initiator (BME), polymerization and water equilibration are similar to that described in Example 1.

    __________________________________________________________________________                                 Physical Properties of Hydrogel                              % IPAC In The              Oxygen Permeability                       Sample                                                                             MW PEG                                                                               Polymerization Mixture                                                                      % BME                                                                               % H.sub.2 O Content                                                                     (barrer)   Observation                    __________________________________________________________________________     1   200   40           0.48  5.92    25.3       very slightly hazy on                                                          edges;                                                                         wettability = B                2   400                0.49 19.48    24.0       clear; wettability = B         3   600                0.06 34.29    20.8       clear; yellow edges;                                                           wettability = A                4   900                0.51 47.66    25.9       clear; wettability = A         5   1000               0.07 50.28    22.9       clear; wettability = A         6   1000               0.48 51.50    --         clear; wettability =           __________________________________________________________________________                                                     A                         

As shown above, water content and wettability increase with increasing molecular weight of PEG.

EXAMPLE 9

This example shows the effect of PEG molecular weight and solvent content (isopropyl acetate) on various physical properties if perfluoropolyether/polyether hydrogels obtained using Fomblin ZDOL TX 2000 (Z₁ TX, MW 2288) a perfluoropolyether with an additional 1 or 2 ethylene oxide units adducted to the terminal hydroxyl groups of ZDOL 2000.

Films are made in a similar manner to those described in Example 3. The reaction of Z₁ TX and two moles of IPDI is monitored by isocyanate titration and the percent isocyanate reacted is found to be approximately 50% (47-52%). The product, Z₁ TX--IPDI--PEG--IEM)₂ is formed through the reaction of two moles of IEM with Z₁ TX--IPDI--PEG)₂ adduct in IPAC at room temperature overnight.

As shown in the table below, in general, use of the perfluoropolyether Z₁ TX yielded strong clear films whose percent water content increases with PEG molecular weight and solvent content.

    __________________________________________________________________________               % IPAC In The                                                                              Physical Properties of Hydrogel                          Sample                                                                             MW PEG                                                                               Polymerization Mixture                                                                     % H.sub.2 O Content                                                                    Clarity/Wettability/Strength                     __________________________________________________________________________      1  400   28          16      Clear                                                                               A      2                                     2  ↓                                                                             39          17      Clear                                                                               B      1                                     3  ↓                                                                             48          21      Hazy B      2                                     4  ↓                                                                             66          28      Cloudy                                                                              B      2                                     5  600   38          29      Clear                                                                               A      1                                     6  ↓                                                                             50          30      Sl. hazy                                                                            A      2                                     7  ↓                                                                             59          39      Hazy B      3                                     8  900   29          39      Clear                                                                               A      4                                     9  ↓                                                                             40          40      Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                              1                                    10  ↓                                                                             50          43      Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                              1                                    11  ↓                                                                             58          47      Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                              1                                    12  1000  28          47      Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                              1                                    13  ↓                                                                             38          42      Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                              1                                    14  ↓                                                                             38          40      Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                              2                                    15  ↓                                                                             49          43      Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                              1                                    16  ↓                                                                             59          47      Sl. hazy                                                                            ↓                                                                              4                                    17  1500  39          55      Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                              2                                    18  ↓                                                                             39          56      Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                              2                                    19  ↓                                                                             49          57      Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                              2                                    20  ↓                                                                             59          60      Clear                                                                               ↓                                                                              1                                    __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 10

This example shows the synthesis of a perfluoropolyether/polyether hydrogel in which the urethane group linking the perfluoropolyether chain and polyether chain (reaction with IPDI) is replaced by an ether linkage; this is accomplished by using an epoxy-terminated PEG.

More specifically, 2.1091 g (0.00096 mole) Fomblin ZDOL 2000 (MW 2200) is reacted at 60° C. overnight with 0.7749 g (0.00194 mole) polyethylene glycol 400 diglycidyl ether (PEGE 400, Polysciences), using 0.0167 g triethylamine catalyst. After 16 hours, the temperature of the mixture (opaque) is raised to 70° C., 0.0220 g triethylamine added and the mixture stirred overnight leading to a clear, yellow, viscous product, Z₁ --O--PEG 400)₂. Then 0.5213 g (0.00017 mole) of Z₁ --O--PEG 400)₂ is combined with 1.8890 g dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO, (Aldrich Gold Label, 99.9%) and 0.0539 g (0.00035 mole) IEM which is added dropwise to the rapidly stirring mixture. The solution is reacted at room temperature approximately 72 hours. Then 0.0040 g BME is added and the solution poured into a "sandwich" mold and UV irradiated at room temperature for 13 hours resulting in a soft gel. This material after equilibration in water becomes a clear hydrogel film.

EXAMPLE 11

This example shows the fabrication of prototype perfluoropolyether/polyether lenses from polypropylene contact lens molds. The reaction solution is made as in Example 5 (samples 3-5) using 0.1% BME as initiator. The solution is pipetted into the lens molds and UV cured for 3 hours. After water extraction and boiling, one obtains optically clear, strong lenses. Micromechanical tensile tests performed on the lenses yield the following properties; stress of 3.6 kg/cm², Young's modulus of 26 kg/cm² and a 13% elongation.

EXAMPLE 12

This example illustrates the preparation of hydrogels obtained via polymerization of partially IEM capped Z₁ --IPDI--PEG 1000)₂ adduct (Z₁ Adduct). The incompletely capped adduct, i.e. mixtures of PEG--IPDI--Z₁ --IPDI--PEG--IEM and IEM--PEG--IPDI--Z₁ --IPDI--PEG--IEM, is prepared as in Example 1 except that 50%-90% of the amount of IEM is added to partially react the PEG 1000 hydroxyl groups. The adducts are then polymerized with or without comonomer (DMA, HEMA, NVP) into sheets (samples 1-5) or lenses (samples 6-8) using UV irradiation (3 hours, 0.05% BME initiator) and water equilibration.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Polymerization Mixture                                                         Z.sub.1 :IPDI:PEG:IEM                                                                         % Z.sub.1        Physical Properties of Hydrogel                Sample                                                                              Molar Ratio                                                                              Adduct                                                                             % IPAC                                                                              % Comonomers                                                                           % H.sub.2 O Content                                                                    Clarity                                                                            Wettability                        __________________________________________________________________________     1    1:2:2:1   61.9                                                                               38.1  --     54.7    Clear                                                                              A                                  2    ↓  54.6                                                                               45.4  --     64.1    Clear                                                                              A                                  3    ↓  49.6                                                                               41.2 9.2 DMA 68.7    Clear                                                                              A                                  4    ↓  49.6                                                                               41.2 9.2 HEMA                                                                               55.7    Hazy                                                                               A                                  5    ↓  49.7                                                                               41.2 9.1 NVP 58.3    Clear                                                                              A                                  6    1:2:2:1.5 66.3                                                                               33.7  --     52.9    Clear                                                                              A                                  7    1:2:2:1.8 61.1                                                                               38.9  --     52.7    Clear                                                                              A                                  8    1:2:2:2   61.6                                                                               38.4  --     48.7    Clear                                                                              A                                  (Control)                                                                      __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 13

This example illustrates the preparation and physical properties of the hydrogels obtained when various amounts of the Z₁ --IPDI--PEG--IEM)₂ diadduct (Z₁ Diadduct) are copolymerized with the reaction product (RP Adduct) of Z₁ --IPDI--PEG)₂ and an equal molar amount of IEM. The Z₁ --IPDI--PEG--IEM)₂ diadduct is prepared as in Example 1 using 37.4% IPAC as solvent. The RP Adduct is also prepared as in Example 1 with 38.1% IPAC except that 50% of the amount of IEM is added. These materials, i.e. Z₁ Diadduct and RP Adduct in IPAC are combined in various ratios and UV polymerized (3 hours, 0.05% BME initiator) into sheets.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Polymerization                                                                 Mixture                                                                        % RP    % Z.sub.1                                                                           Physical Properties of Hydrogel                                   Sample                                                                             Adduct                                                                             Diadduct                                                                            % H.sub.2 O Content                                                                    Clarity                                                                            Wettability                                                                          Strength                                        __________________________________________________________________________     1   85.4                                                                               14.6 53.01   Clear                                                                              A      3-4                                            2   84.6                                                                               15.4 52.08   ↓                                                                           A     4                                               3   50.0                                                                               50.0 44.39   ↓                                                                           A     3                                               4   50.0                                                                               50.0 48.01   ↓                                                                           A     3                                               5   14.8                                                                               85.2 44.16   ↓                                                                           A     3                                               6   100.0                                                                              --   54.71   ↓                                                                           A     4                                               7   --  100.0                                                                               44.45   ↓                                                                           A     3                                               __________________________________________________________________________

As shown above, water content tends to increase with increasing RP Adduct content.

EXAMPLE 14

This example illustrates the tensile strength of lenses polymerized from the Z₁ --IPDI--PEG 1000-IEM)₂ diadduct (Z₁ Diadduct) with or without additional comonomer adducts. The Z₁ --IPDI--PEG 1000-IEM)₂ diadduct is prepared as in Example 1. The comonomers used are prepared by reaction of 1 mole Z₁ with one mole IEM (Z₁ /IEM) or two moles IEM (Z₁ --IEM)₂) using dibutyltin dilaurate as catalyst. The diadduct in IPAC is combined with the additional comonomer adduct(s) and polymerized using UV irradiation (3 hours, 0.1% BME initiator).

    __________________________________________________________________________     Polymerization Mixture Physical Properties of Hydrogel                              % Z.sub.1                                                                           % Comonomer          Young's Modulus                                                                         Stress                                 Sample                                                                              Diadduct                                                                            Adduct  % IPAC                                                                              % H.sub.2 O Content                                                                    (kg/cm.sup.2)                                                                           (kg/cm.sup.2)                                                                       % Elongation                      __________________________________________________________________________     1    61.0 1.0 Z.sub.1 --(IEM).sub.2                                                              38.0 47.6    21 ± 4                                                                               3.0 ± 0.9                                                                        14 ± 3                         2    57.6 1.1 Z.sub.1 --(IEM).sub.2                                                              35.8 44.3    22 ± 5                                                                               2.9 ± 0.4                                                                        13 ± 3                                   5.5 Z.sub.1 /IEM                                                     3    61.6 --      38.4 48.7    25 ± 5                                                                               4.0 ± 0.7                                                                        15 ± 2                         Control                                                                        __________________________________________________________________________ 

What is claimed is:
 1. A crosslinked polymer which is the addition polymerization product of (a) a macromer containing perfluoropolyalkylether and polyalkylether segments and ethylenically unsaturated moieties, having the formula I, more specifically as seen in formulas Ia to Id,

    E--T--L--Q--X--Z--X--Q--L--T--E,                           (Ia)

    E--T--L--Q--X--Z--X--Q--L,                                 (Ib)

    E--T--L--Q--X--G--X--Q--L--T--E, or                        (Ic)

    E--T--L--Q--X--G--X--Q--L                                  (Id)

wherein Z is --(C_(a) F_(2a) O)_(b) --CF₂ --, where a is 1 to 4, b is 2 to 200; X is a direct bond, --CH₂ --, --CH₂ OCH₂ CHOHCH₂ --, --CH₂ (OCH₂ CH₂)_(y) -- or carbonyl where y is 1 to 10 and where in each case the carbon atom is attached to Z or G; Q is a direct bond or --ACONH--R--NHCO-- where A is oxa or imino and R is a divalent aliphatic group having from 2 to 14 carbon atoms, a divalent 5- or 6-membered cycloaliphatic group having 5 to 14 carbon atoms or an arylene group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms; L is --A(C_(m) H_(2m) O)_(n) C_(m) H_(2m) AY-- or L₁ where Y is a direct bond or H and m is 2 to 4 or mixtures thereof and n is 5 to 100, where A is attached to Q; T is --CONH--R₅ A-- or --CONH--R--NHCOOR₅ A-- or --CONH--R--NHCO--A-- or --R₅ A-- or direct bond where the carbonyl group is attached to L, where R₅ is alkylene or hydroxy-substituted alkylene of 2 to 15 carbon atoms and R is as above; E is ##STR7## where R₁ is hydrogen or methyl, and R₂ is hydrogen, methyl or --COOR₃ where R₃ is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms with the proviso that, when R₁ is methyl, R₂ is hydrogen, R₄ is hydrogen or methyl and G is --(C_(a) F_(2a) O)_(b) --CF₂ [CH₂ --OCONH--R--NHCOOCH₂ CF₂ (OC_(a) F_(2a))_(b) ]_(x) or --(C_(a) F_(2a) O)_(b) --CF₂ [CH₂ --NHCONH--R--NHCONHCH₂ CF₂ (OC_(a) F_(2a))_(b) ]_(x) where x is 1 to 3; L₁ is --A(C_(m) H_(2m) O)_(n) [C_(m) H_(2m) ACONH--R--NHCOA(C_(m) H_(2m) O)_(n).sbsb.1 ]_(z) C_(m) H_(2m) AYwhere n₁ is 5 to 100, z is 1 to 10 and Y is a direct bond or H; and (b) a vinylic comonomer selected from (i) hydrophilic monomers selected from hydroxy-substituted lower alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, acrylamide, methacrylamide, C₁ -C₂ lower alkyl acrylamide and methacrylamide, ethoxylated acrylates and methacrylates, hydroxy substituted lower alkyl acrylamide and methacrylamide, hydroxy substituted lower alkyl vinyl ethers, sodium ethylene sulfonate, sodium styrenesulfonate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, N-vinylpyrrole, N-vinylsuccinimide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, 2- and 4-vinylpyridine, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, amino (by amino including quaternary ammonium),-monoloweralkylamino- or diloweralkylamino- lower alkyl acrylates or methacrylates and allyl alcohol; (ii) hydrophobic monomers selected from C₁ to C₁₈ alkyl acrylates and methacrylate, C₃ to C₁₈ alkyl acrylamides and methacrylamides, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, vinyl C₁ to C₁₈ alkanoates, C₂ to C₁₈ alkenes, C₂ to C₁₈ haloalkenes, styrene, C₁ to C₆ alkyl styrenes, vinyl alkyl ethers wherein the alkyl portion has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, C₃ -C₁₂ perfluoroalkyl ethyl thiocarbonylaminoethyl acrylates and methacrylates, C₃ -C₁₂ fluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates, acryloxy and methacryloxy-alkyl-siloxanes, N-vinylcarbazole, C₁ -C₁₂ alkyl esters of maleic, fumaric, itaconic, and mesaconic acids; (iii) polyreactive crosslinking agents such as allyl methacrylate, diallyl itaconate, monoallyl itaconate, diallyl maleate, diallyl fumarate, diallyl succinate, diallyl phthalate, triallyl cyanurate, triallyl isocyanurate, diethylene glycol bis-allyl carbonate, triallyl phosphate, triallyl trimellitate, allyl ether, N,N-diallylmelamine; vinyl compounds, e.g. divinyl benzene, N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, neopentylglycol dimethacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, hexamethylene-bis-maleimide, divinyl urea, bisphenol A bis methacrylate, divinyl adipate, glycerin trimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, trivinyl trimellitate, 1,5-pentadiene, 1,3-bis(4-methacryloxybutyl) tetramethyl disiloxane, divinyl ether, and divinyl sulfone; and the dimethacrylate formed by reacting perfluoropolyalkylether dimethanol or poly(ethylene glycol) with two moles of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate; and (iv) mixtures of (i), (ii) and (iii).
 2. A polymer according to claim 1 where in macromer (a), X is --CH₂ -- or --CH₂ (OCH₂ CH₂)_(y) -- where y is 1 or
 2. 3. A polymer according to claim 1 where in macromer (a),Q is --ACONH--R--NHCO-- where R is the radical derived from hexane-1,6-diisocyanate, trimethyl-hexane-1,6-diisocyanate, tetramethylenediisocyanate, phenylene-1,4-diisocyanate, toluene-2,4-diisocyanate, toluene-2,6-diisocyanate, m- or p-tetramethylxylenediisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate or cyclohexane-1,4-diisocyanate.
 4. A polymer according to claim 3 wherein R is the divalent radical derived from isophorone diisocyanate.
 5. A polymer according to claim 1 where in macromer (a), a is 1 or 2, and b is 3 to
 50. 6. A polymer according to claim 1 where in macromer (a), L is --O(C_(m) H_(2m) O)_(n) C_(m) H_(2m) O-- where m is 2 or a mixture of 2 and 3, and n is 9-50.
 7. A polymer according to claim 1 where in macromer (a), T is --CONH--R₅ A-- and R₅ is ethylene and A is oxa.
 8. A polymer according to claim 1 where in macromer (a), T is --CONH--R--NHCOOR₅ A-- and R₅ is ethylene and R is the radical derived from isophorone diisocyanate and A is oxa.
 9. A polymer according to claim 1 where in macromer (a), E is ##STR8## where R₁ is methyl and R₂ is hydrogen.
 10. A polymer according to claim 1 where in macromer (a), E is ##STR9## where R₁ and R₂ are both hydrogen.
 11. A polymer according to claim 1 where in macromer (a), x is 1 and R is a radical derived from isophorone diisocyanate.
 12. A polymer according to claim 1 where in L₁ of macromer (a), A is oxa, R is a radical derived from isophorone diisocyanate, z is 1 to 5 and n is 5 to
 100. 13. A polymer according to claim 1 where the macromer (a) has the formula (Ia) E--T--L--Q--X--Z--X--Q--L--T--E.
 14. A polymer according to claim 13 where in the macromer (a),E is --CO--C(CH₃)═CH₂, T is --CONH--CH₂ CH₂ --O--, L is --O(C₂ H₄ O)_(n) C₂ H₄ O-- where n is 19-25, Q is --OCONH--isophorone--NHCO--, X is --CH₂ --, and Z is --CF₂ O(C₂ F₄ O)_(r) --(CF₂ O)_(s) --CF₂ where r/s is about 0.7.
 15. A crosslinked polymer according to claim 1 wherein (b) is up to 10% by weight.
 16. A crosslinked polymer according to claim 15 wherein (b) is 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, the reaction product of poly(ethylene glycol) with two moles of 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate or the reaction product of perfluoropolyalkylether dimethanol with two moles of 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate. 